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MINIMUM EFFORT "better than Steam Machine" Steam Machine alternative thread

Shogmaster

Ask me about my package
Yes, you can build a custom PC that destroys Steam Machine for the same money, but HOOS GOT DA TIME? Also, most of our asses are lazy.

SO...

Let us post easy to do Steam Machine alternatives that would only require installing Steam OS pretty much to existing products you can buy yet:
-Still come under Steam Machine MSRP,
-DON'T have to wait for a raffle, and
-Outperform SM on top of all that.

My selection:

90F2mbng9rmrdIum.jpg

6 core Zen 3 Mini PC with 16GB of DDR5, 512GB SSD, a second NVMe M.2 slot for more storage, with OCULINK port.

The CPU benchmark is basically same as the one in Steam Machine.
0n1gECNKobG9fpaB.jpg


tPPy6HjEnwlaNcRY.jpg

32 CU overclocked version of 28 CU RDNA 3 GPU in the Syeam Machine using Oculink connection will spank the SM GPU pergormance even with reduced Oculink bandwidth. Also has USB4 so you can dual purpose this with your PC handheld of your choice.
GACUptmVSHe87l5F.jpg


Sooooo..... vs Steam Machine 512GB version, you be spankin it in GPU performance for $170 less, eats up less space (but in 2 pieces), and you can buy it now!

I shoulda affiliate link this shit to make money but im too pure of a soul....
 
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Good idea for a thread.

How much would a store charge to build a custom computer (when purchasing the parts from them)?

In my country there is a store that charges about $25 usd to build it with the parts you bought, no matter the complexity.
 
Good idea for a thread.

How much would a store charge to build a custom computer (when purchasing the parts from them)?

In my country there is a store that charges about $25 usd to build it with the parts you bought, no matter the complexity.
America dont do that no more.
 
thats a lot of cables needed and 2 power supplies? nah...

now if that M8 Mini PC was all you needed then yeah for sure.
 
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"better than Steam Machine"


Shows a considerably weaker mini-pc and an external GPU that requires the entire rest of the PC.

If you're gonna do weird stuff, just build a normal PC or get a laptop.
 
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thats a lot of cables needed and 2 power supplies? nah...

now if that M8 Mini PC was all you needed then yeah for sure.
Cables gonna scare you away from saving $170 while having an eGPU you can also use with your PC handhrld to boot?

Maybe you do deserve to pay $1050 for a Steam Machine. LOL
 
Buy a real graphics card like a 5070 Ti and put it in a Jonsbo or Lian Li small form factor case. Done!

You don't need it to be a tiny cube. You are sacrificing too much for form factor - just like the Steam Machine did.
 

"better than Steam Machine"


Shows a considerably weaker mini-pc and an external GPU that requires the entire rest of the PC.

If you're gonna do weird stuff, just build a normal PC or get a laptop.
Wuh? Entire rest of wah? You just attach it to da mini PC brah. Y U TARDING?
 
One of these, with a low profile 5060/5050 could be an option if you want things really small. It does require a Flex power supply; there are not many options on those.


For those considering eGPUs and mini-PCs, they do make some small units with power supplies now:



Beelink has that dock with a better connection than Occulink:

 
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One of these, with a low profile 5060/5050 could be an option if you want things really small. It does require a Flex power supply; there are not many options on those.

Didn't read OP? We dont wanna do that shit. Last PC I built was 15 years ago. No Mas.

Also Steam Machine? Steam OS? NVidia? Come on now dawg.
 
It's been a while since I dealt with eGPU, but I remember the connection being flaky. When it worked it was great, when it didn't I wish I had a proper desktop/SFF.
 
The eGPU enclosure plus the device will be less than 4L?
In theory, even if they are bigger combined, since each is smaller in size, you can actually put them in separate places under your TV which will visually take up even less space.

You can even put an eGPU like that behind the TV, then pass its cables along with the TV legs to hide the cables ( I know someone did that before, almost looked like someone is playing from TV directly. )
 
Yes, you can build a custom PC that destroys Steam Machine for the same money, but HOOS GOT DA TIME? Also, most of our asses are lazy.

SO...

Let us post easy to do Steam Machine alternatives that would only require installing Steam OS pretty much to existing products you can buy yet:
-Still come under Steam Machine MSRP,
-DON'T have to wait for a raffle, and
-Outperform SM on top of all that.

My selection:

90F2mbng9rmrdIum.jpg

6 core Zen 3 Mini PC with 16GB of DDR5, 512GB SSD, a second NVMe M.2 slot for more storage, with OCULINK port.

The CPU benchmark is basically same as the one in Steam Machine.
0n1gECNKobG9fpaB.jpg


tPPy6HjEnwlaNcRY.jpg

32 CU overclocked version of 28 CU RDNA 3 GPU in the Syeam Machine using Oculink connection will spank the SM GPU pergormance even with reduced Oculink bandwidth. Also has USB4 so you can dual purpose this with your PC handheld of your choice.
GACUptmVSHe87l5F.jpg


Sooooo..... vs Steam Machine 512GB version, you be spankin it in GPU performance for $170 less, eats up less space (but in 2 pieces), and you can buy it now!

I shoulda affiliate link this shit to make money but im too pure of a soul....
If you think these things are getting better performance without active cooling I have a bridge to sell you.
 
Wuh? Entire rest of wah? You just attach it to da mini PC brah. Y U TARDING?
Like i said, if you're gonna do weird stuff just build a mini tower or something. eGPUs are a performance-limited solution for very specific scenarios, building a single machine from the ground up with one is retarded.
 
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Like i said, if you're gonna do weird stuff just build a mini tower or something. eGPUs are a performance-limited solution for very specific scenarios, building a single machine from the ground up with one is retarded.
Steam Machine is like using PCIe 4.0 x8 to the GPU and Oculink only gives up 15% in performance in average vs x16.
 
Withj respect, this thread is irresponsible. You're going to have someone buy the GMKtec M8 expecting Steam Machine performance, and they're going to have wasted $400.
 
Withj respect, this thread is irresponsible. You're going to have someone buy the GMKtec M8 expecting Steam Machine performance, and they're going to have wasted $400.
Its M8 plus 7600M XT eGPU. $880. It will spank Steam Machine in performance.

You need to read shit before posting shit.
 
Steam Machine is like using PCIe 4.0 x8 to the GPU and Oculink only gives up 15% in performance in average vs x16.
Still pointless performance loss compared with a normal mini tower.

As i said, if you're making a gaming PC from the ground up, there are literal no reasons nor advantages to do what you're doing here.
 
Still pointless performance loss compared with a normal mini tower.

As i said, if you're making a gaming PC from the ground up, there are literal no reasons nor advantages to do what you're doing here.
Your IF is wrong. The thread said LOW EFFORT. Building a SFF ITX/mATX PC is definitely not LOW EFFORT.

As a former PC Build bro, I need you guys to understand not everyone wants to build, K? K.
 
Your IF is wrong. The thread said LOW EFFORT. Building a SFF ITX/mATX PC is definitely not LOW EFFORT.
Get a laptop, get prebuilts, ask your local shop to build it for you. All equally low-effort solutions.

eGPUs exist mainly for two purposes:
A) You already bought a laptop or miniPC, but now you need a GPU for something and don't want to buy an entire new computer
B) You want to frequently share a GPU between multiple computers
 
That Ryzen PRO 6650H is much weaker for gaming than the Zen4 7600 that is on the Steam Machine.
The eGPU is ok. But defeats one of the most appealing features of the Steam Machine, it's compact size, portability and ease of use.
 
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One of these, with a low profile 5060/5050 could be an option if you want things really small. It does require a Flex power supply; there are not many options on those.


For those considering eGPUs and mini-PCs, they do make some small units with power supplies now:



Beelink has that dock with a better connection than Occulink:



I have an Aoostar egpu like the first one there. Oculink is definitely the way to go on these things. Very little overhead. Much less than thunderbolt 4. Only issue is your GPU is out in the open so need to be careful about that.
 
Get a laptop, get prebuilts, ask your local shop to build it for you. All equally low-effort solutions.

eGPUs exist mainly for two purposes:
A) You already bought a laptop or miniPC, but now you need a GPU for something and don't want to buy an entire new computer
B) You want to frequently share a GPU between multiple computers
Low effort is clicking buy now in Amazon links.

Searching/trusting local shops? Risking ebay or Craigslist? That's definitely not low effort. And trust me Ive fone all thise things fir my crazy PC ideas in the past.

As for eGPUs, its multi purpose that serves us here. Many have PC Handgelds. This eGPU has both Oculink and USB 4. What a terrible fate to have such diverse usage! EGPU in this configuration is a PLUS.
 
That Ryzen PRO 6650H is much weaker for gaming than the Zen4 7600 that is on the Steam Machine.
The eGPU is ok. But defeats one of the most appealing features of the Steam Machine, it's compact size, portability and ease of use.
Its H class Zen 3 vs ULV Zen 4. They have very close benchmark scores. Much weaker? Stop consulting your anus for info plz.
 
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Low effort is clicking buy now in Amazon links.

Searching/trusting local shops? Risking ebay or Craigslist? That's definitely not low effort. And trust me Ive fone all thise things fir my crazy PC ideas in the past.
What, you think there'll be no research involved in buying a miniPC/eGPU combo? Or are you suggesting everyone should just blindly trust what you put together here?
 
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